“We’re just going through the concussion protocol,” Rivera said of Shockey, who took a shot to the head on a field goal attempt in Sunday’s loss to Chicago. “We’re getting to the point, and I hate to say it, but we’ve had one a week. We’re concerned obviously but we won’t know more until Thursday morning.

“That’s probably the best time to judge because the last couple of weeks it’s been Thursday mornings they don’t feel good, they don’t play; if Thursday morning is good, they play.”

Offensive lineman Jeff Otah missed Carolina’s second game, safety Charles Godfrey missed Week 3 and Sunday it was cornerback Chris Gamble.

Though Gamble returned to practice Wednesday, Otah and Geoff Hangartner missed practice with back injuries.

Shockey was not fined this week for comments he made about the officiating following the Bears game. Shockey was upset when he was flagged for pass interference, nullifying his 22-yard touchdown reception. He said after the game he wanted an explanation from the league’s officiating office because he didn’t get one on the field.

The Panthers made three roster moves after Sunday’s 34-29 loss to the Chicago Bears, signing free agent defensive end Antwan Applewhite and claiming safety Jermale Hines off waivers from Indianapolis. They released defensive end George Selvie and safety Sean Considine to make room.

Applewhite played three seasons under Rivera in San Diego and was used primarily as an outside linebacker in their 3-4 scheme, but the Panthers likely will use him as an end in their 4-3 defense.

He didn’t see much action his first two seasons with the Chargers, but received good playing time last year starting 13 games with 48 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups. He went to training camp this year with San Francisco, but hasn’t been on a roster the first month of the season.

Hines was a fifth-round draft pick by St. Louis this year, but was cut after three games and claimed by Indianapolis. He spent less than a week there and was waived again.

Considine was responsible for a missed tackle on Devin Hester’s 69-yard punt return on Sunday.

The Panthers also made a practice squad move, waiving CB Kendric Burney from North Carolina and adding LB Kion Wilson, who spent last with the Chargers as well.

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